The Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) is a clear example of how being part of a local Chamber of Commerce means you are part of something bigger. The QES is Britain's biggest, and longest-running, private business survey which has provided consistent data since 1989, and regularly receives more than 7,000 business responses. It is a leading indicator often picking up big changes in the economy long before other surveys or official statistics.

A few more interesting facts:

• The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee uses the QES as one of its key benchmarks when setting interest rates. • HM Treasury and the independent Office for Budget Responsibility use the QES to put together their forecasts for the UK's economic performance. • The European Commission uses the QES to assess the health of the UK economy when it makes policy recommendations for both Westminster and Brussels. • The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) use the QES when comparing the UK to competitors worldwide.

So please join us in this very worth while effort as it really does take just 5 minutes or less to complete.

The results of the latest Quarterly International Trade Outlook can also be found here